The Legal and Political Challenges Fuelling ABS-CBN’s Franchise Renewal Denial
ABS-CBN, a prominent Philippine broadcasting network, faced significant legal and political hurdles in its quest for a new franchise. This article explores the various factors that contributed to the rejection of ABS-CBN’s request, including political climate, legal concerns, and public sentiment.
Political Climate
The Philippine government, in particular under President Rodrigo Duterte, maintained a contentious relationship with ABS-CBN. Duterte frequently criticized the network, alleging biased reporting in its coverage of his administration. This political animosity profoundly influenced the decision-making process surrounding the franchise renewal.
Legal Issues
Multiple legal concerns were raised against ABS-CBN, primarily involving compliance with existing franchise terms and the foreign ownership limit in Philippine media. Critics alleged that the network had violated these regulations, which led to significant questions about the legality of its operations.
House of Representatives Vote
The House of Representatives, responsible for granting franchises in the Philippines, conducted hearings on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. These hearings resulted in a committee vote against renewing the franchise. The final vote in July 2020 was a decisive 70-11 against granting a new franchise.
Public Sentiment
The public sentiment against ABS-CBN gained significant traction due to social media campaigns and political rhetoric. This public opinion may have played a crucial role in influencing lawmakers' decisions during the franchise hearings. The network’s broadcasting operations were forced to shut down in May 2020, following the denial of the franchise.
Individual Perspectives
(Author’s Perspective) The reasons for ABS-CBN’s closure can be traced to its management by the Lopez family, considered one of the elite Filipino oligarchs. Additionally, the network's failure to air President Duterte's commercials during the 2016 Presidential elections and its perceived pro-Aquino stance further contributed to the situation. Taxing issues also emerged as a significant concern.
Comparison with GMA Network
Philippine audiences often show a stronger preference for ABS-CBN over GMA Network, primarily due to ABS-CBN’s popular drama shows such as Kadenang Ginto and Ang Probinsyano. The variety show It’s Showtime is also highly popular, especially for segments like Tawag ng Tanghalan and Sine Mo To, which parody other TV and movie franchises. In terms of news, ABS-CBN is perceived to be more biased, while GMA’s news is often seen as more accurate but less engaging.
Conversely, GMA Network is appreciated for its news services and comedic shows like Bubble Gang. However, viewers may find the 3D graphics in GMA’s shows, though informative, somewhat unnecessary and potentially creepy to younger audiences.
The challenges faced by ABS-CBN highlight the complex interplay of legal, political, and public opinion factors in the broadcasting industry. This situation underscores the challenges faced by media outlets in maintaining their operations in the face of regulatory and political pressures.